NEW! Reference Handbook for the Electrical Power CBT PE Exam is finally here

[@electricalpereview]

Video Table of Contents (Click to Jump): 3:06 - The Reference Handbook for the new CBT Format Electrical Power PE Exam for January 2021 - Open vs Closed Book 6:16 - Current pass rates for the electrical power PE exam 7:57 - Reference Handbook Layout and Outline 12:13 - Biggest Surprise - Lack of Protection 15:43 - Second Biggest Surprise - Codes and Standards 18:49 - Engineering Economics 20:58 - Symmetrical Components 25:05 - Instantaneous Functions, Average Value, RMS 26:53 - Rotating Machines and Transformers 31:47 - Final Thoughts on the new CBT Reference Handbook for the Electrical Power PE Exam 40:37 - How to Login to NCEES® and Download or Print the CBT Reference Handbook for the Electrical Power PE Exam 41:52 - Useful Links and Additional Information Related to the New CBT Format for the Electrical Power PE Exam Read the full article here: www.electricalpereview.com/the-electrical-and-computer-power-reference-handbook-for-the-computer-based-testing-cbt-pe-exam-is-here/

[@juliabrodovsky3096]

I gotta say, I am absolutely devastated that we don't get to bring our own references. I didn't realize that until today and I'm taking the test next month. So devestated. But thank you for this video to help ease anxiety over it.

[@electricalpereview]

Hi Julia, if you haven't already, please start familiarizing yourself with the NCEES Reference Handbook as soon as possible. This video was made when the Reference Handbook was first released, but before anyone actually had the chance to take the new CBT format. The good news is that you'll still have access to the digital version of all codebooks when you take the exam (something we didn't know at the time of making this video). I highly encourage you to watch a few of the interviews I conducted with students of ours that passed the new CBT format to get a better idea of what to expect when you take the exam. Here is a KZbin playlist that contains every "How to Pass the CBT PE Exam" interview that I have conducted so far: kzbin.info/aero/PL8UEnCgTyXQuJw1NWMQ5N2KgL1zysB9HA

[@juliabrodovsky3096]

@@electricalpereview Thank you so much! That was clearly a dark day for me, haha. I am feeling much better now. I don't know if I have enough time to mentally/strategically adjust to doing the closed book version of the exam and pass this time around, but there will be a next time if not! Your video on the topic and your videos running over practice questions are incredibly helpful. Thank you so much!

[@yashpatel3123]

I'm glad they changed to CBT format. Much better than flipping through the books. In this digital age, who wants to go through the books when you can CTRL + F?

[@electricalpereview]

CTRL + F is definitely an advantage to finding material quicker, the only issue is the reference handbook is so limited that most of the information you'll find are details you'll already be familiar with and not need to reference if you've already been studying a decent amount. I must be old school though I prefer flipping through pages!

[@yashpatel3123]

@@electricalpereview the more books I have the more confused I get. I prefer to focus on consolidated material rather than go through different books to find my answer. We all would learn to adapt the change this is the future. If the answer/equation is not in the provided reference everyone would do bad with that question. No need to worry. We all would be fine. Thanks for responding!

[@marklambard2062]

@@yashpatel3123 very good insight actually! I was thinking differently!

[@100babaj]

Great review of the new PE reference handbook. Thank u

[@electricalpereview]

My pleasure, glad you enjoyed.

[@puthyx]

Best in the business! Zach has helped me on so many concepts and his website is uncontested the #1 resource for passing the PE exam!

[@alk272]

I appreciate you taking the time to go over the new handbook. Getting forced to take the CBT is a little nerve-wracking.

[@babajojo5974]

Do I expect to be tested on material not covered in the reference book?

[@electricalpereview]

Yes, to an extent, but most of the material is expected to be covered in the reference handbook.

[@adl9705]

This right here! Awesome!

[@jimmytimmy34]

October Exam was canceled and I have signed up for the December 1st date to take the exam. This was informative as I refocus with the knowledge I will not being taking in a suitcase full of books.

[@harshtalwar5021]

Hi Zach, Good explanation for new ref handbook.

[@andrew.kiefer]

Thank you so much for your review of this reference handbook.

[@cwkimbrough]

This was a really helpful intro to the CBT handbook.

[@paulmattern8011]

Thanks for the in depth review of the reference book ad break down of the test format. Your videos are always very informative.

[@guilty96]

Very helpful review, thank you

[@collincroley2004]

Thanks Zach good review

[@OB-gg1mo]

Zach thank you for review of the CBT handbook. I am looking forward to the in dept review in the live class

[@babajojo5974]

Now that few electrical engineers have taken the CBT, please update the content of this video based on their CPT experiences.

[@electricalpereview]

Hi @baba JoJo, this was a first look at the reference handbook and was up to date when it was created. If you are looking for more up to date information on how to pass the CBT PE Exam, you may find the following interviews with engineers that have passed the exam helpful: kzbin.info/aero/PL8UEnCgTyXQuJw1NWMQ5N2KgL1zysB9HA

[@kaels2012]

Thanks for the overview Zach! Hopefully they'll refine the handbook a bit more before the CBT in December!

[@2958918]

they did , its version now is 1.1 and they added that codes will be given as the handbook in software copy.

[@AlbertaDMode]

Zach, this was a great review! Do we know Dec 2020 CBT Power PE pass/fail percentage at this point?

[@electricalpereview]

The official NCEES Pass rates for the new CBT PE Power exam are 71% for first-time takers, which is a large improvement from the 2019 first time pass rate of 51%. The majority of engineers that are taking the CBT PE exam right now were signed up for either of the cancelled April 2020 or October 2020 exams. I suspect the big jump in pass rates can largely be attributed to test takers studying for the exam for a much longer time than what is typical.

[@ryankon518]

Thanks for this in depth review! Helps to fill in the gaps between what I have already studied

[@BattleToads1990]

Wow, these changes are stunning, the exclusion of protection makes no sense. I'm currently registered for the last paper/pencil PE power exam (Oct 20'). If I'm unlucky....and have to retake the exam with being stuck with this new CBT format.....I'm definitely waiting till the end of 2021 to retake.....when all kinks have been worked out. Thanks for the clarification on the new Power PE reference book!

[@electricalpereview]

Fingers crossed you get through the October exam and don't have to take the new CBT format. I'll be extremely surprised if NCEES does not end up releasing a new version prior to January that includes protection. Why include integral and derivative identities that are not tested on, but not have information on the largest subject on the exam. May have just been a minor oversight but we shall see!

[@JessicaHernandez-hz4le]

They canceled the Oct. Paper and Pencil exam.

[@Andrew-sz1iq]

Man I have been studying for 2 years now. I just want to be done with this exam lol Thanks for the insight. At this point anything and everything is fair game I would think.

[@andreww1212]

I'm kind of glad I passed the paper and pencil exam back in April 2019 and didn't wait for the CBT exam. If it's the same exam then it's going to be a lot more difficult. I can't see how they're going to test NEC/NESC which is shown in the specifications.

[@electricalpereview]

I bet the "PE" at the end of your name is starting to feel even better after seeing the upcoming CBT changes.

[@andreww1212]

@@electricalpereview Oh yes! It also seems it's going to be more valuable in the coming years.

[@JeffyMathew007]

Excellent review of the handbook! I hope NCEES will correct the various errors before the CBT's start in December.

[@OddRobb]

I believe you will be allowed PDF copies of the NFPA 70, NFPA 70E and NESC on the exam along with their Power Reference Handbook.

[@sampathkumarpatil6197]

otherwise, there is no meaning for PE. PE is all about referring code books.

[@electricalpereview]

Yes. NCEES has stated that they will provide code books in digital format on the computer in their entirety that are needed to solve code questions.

[@yuechen2421]

@@electricalpereview is there anyway we can get the digital code books?

[@electricalpereview]

@@yuechen2421 Yes, they can be purchased directly from the NFPA.org website.

[@yuechen2421]

@@electricalpereview I looked on line. There is already nec 2020 already, why we still use 2017 for pe exam

[@ianmailly4711]

Well I signed up today for an exam date in May and I'm stressing out realizing that this is likely going to be a more difficult exam than it already was. I guess I better prepare for taking it several times and the long haul of studying for years.

[@electricalpereview]

The good news is that according to NCEES, the exam questions and specifications are not changing. The hard part is anticipating the quesitons they will include that do not include the needed formulas or theory to solve in the handbook (like the S = V²/Z and S = I²Z Formulas.) FYI we start live class again for the Spring 2021 CBT Semester on January 11th, 2020. You can see the updated live class schedule on the Live Class page: courses.electricalpereview.com/courses/take/copy-of-live-weekly-webinar-class-october-2020-electrical-pe-exam/texts/17543084-extended-access-announcement We will be working through the entire Handbook.

[@shahriarforoodi4286]

October paper exam got canceled due to COVID-19 ( at least in California). No more pencil and paper exam, CBT is our only option now. Hope NCEES has put enough time and thoughts on this transition and it's not just a rush decision reacting to Covid-19 situation. Also, in preface of handbook under computer based exam, it is mentioned that in addition to the handbook, "the exam will include codes and standards for your use"

[@gerberramos3245]

The exam specifications states clearly which code/standards NCEES will supply as PDF files if they are required to answer a question.

[@2958918]

Needs to be updated because codes and standards listed in the new exam specifications will be "supplied" in the exam day. And the reference handbook has new version now (1.1).

[@helendu5241]

New version now is 1.1.1 which still is a very thin book. I don't see any improvement.

[@2958918]

@@helendu5241 just few edits between 1.1 and 1.1.1. Editing of an image and some equations format ( an 'x' instead of '.' for product)

[@elmdropout1792]

Thank you! This has shed light on the handbook that had me pretty worried. Will you be creating another video that is more of an in depth explanation of the more useful equations vs ones that are probably not going to be used often on the exam?

[@gaynorfamily]

The next exam is in December in the CBC format

[@gaynorfamily]

The October exam for power is canceled

[@bluecrimson6841]

If they want us to use this handbook it needs to be re done by you!

[@marklambard2062]

January 15?

[@electricalpereview]

Whoops! Meant to say July 15th (today) during the introduction.

[@marklambard2062]

@@electricalpereview yeah not a big deal though. We should all know it's July lol

[@mouneshaddad7546]

The new exam specs still include Protection (11-17 questions), and the additional specs page lists the codes and standards that will be provided as pdf files. This handbook version is just a draft. I’ve passed the paper based exam on October 2019. The results were released on December 13th. Now you can get your result in 3-4 days.

[@marklambard2062]

To sum it up: NCEES is trying to maximize revenue!

[@electricalpereview]

For what it's worth, NCEES is a non-profit. But I totally understand your frustration since the exam is already just about as hard as it could be. The advantage is that results will be out much quicker instead of the usual several month wait, and it removes a lot of discrepancies between testing sites and proctors (there are stories of proctors being strangely unfair with rules). I doubt their goal is to make pass rates lower, so hopefully, we will see some adjustments that make it more comparable to the traditional paper and pencil format.

[@teresalanuza5559]

Oh so, we are screwed :( haha